Tuesday, December 28, 2010

First off...Merry Christmas to everyone in Blog-land!!! I have been crazy busy crafting and still am and finally am able to post some pics of what I've been making....now that some people of got some of them! (and the family whose hasn't knows who they are) Thought I'd start off with a pic of our Christmas tree. Alot of homemade ornies but not too good of a pic...just trust me, it's beautiful!

We had (are having) a great Christmas Holiday! I was actually still finishing up some gifts a couple hours before they were to be opened Christmas morning....I think I do some of my best work then. A couple of gifts were going to my stepdaughter and hubby in Germany. I made a glass block light present and a rag wreath with a matching small tree (tree not pictured) as well as some small stockings and a pillow (also not pictured) They luckily received them before Christmas which was a miracle and they loved everything...they wanted Christmas decorations for their new house.

This was the ornie that I swapped with over at the HOE exchange. It was the Lizzy Kate Snowman for this year. I stitched it on 32 count and made it into an ornament. My partner really liked it and actually said she was just about to stitch this piece.

My son and daughter-in-law got their share of homemade also. My son plays alot of World of Warcraft and he's always saying he has a "raid" he has to do (he's a Raid Leader in W.O.W.). So I made this simple painted t-shirt to match some pj bottoms I bought him. He really liked it.

Front....

and Back.....

Also crocheted this LOOOOOONG scarf for him and put the Alliance emblem from W.O.W. on it. (he liked this also but was intent on watching something on tv while I was taking the pic)

Bent Creek had this wonderful cross stitch wedding sampler that I couldn't resist. They both received that as a present for their apartment as they said they need things on their walls. I even framed it myself!

Check out this Harry Potter scarf I made my DIL. She loves Harry Potter and I found this on the Lion Brand site...there is a crochet one and a knit one. I made this much longer than it called for though so she could wrap it around....another gift well-enjoyed.

I cross stitched this Lizzie Kate for Hubby's office space. I love this saying....and I think I'm loving Lizzie Kate more and more. I just did a simple finish....sorta like a "pin and tap" without the frame. And once again I was recruited into making 15 of my shelf ladies. I found a new technique on the Martha Stewart site that I applied to these and it worked out great. They are made from simple roof flashing that you can get at any hardward store. They are fun to make!

I made about four of these mustache/beard hats this year. My son saw them for sale online and asked me if I could make it. The patterns were no where to be found so I just studied the picture alot and came up with something very similar. They work up pretty quick. He wore it to the movies once and a stranger asked him where he got it. My son suggested I sell them in my Etsy store....I'm thinkin' about it...IF I can find the time!

So that's about it.....I turned 54 a few weeks ago and just love this picture I took of myself the morning of my birthday in the bathroom mirror when I woke up. It always makes me smile and reminds me that age is ONLY a number!

So, with that....I'm thinkin about making one of my resolutions to post more often.....so keep tabs on me with that one, ok?

Friday, December 17, 2010

I keep promising to post pictures of things I'm making but I been making so many gifts that with working full time and crafting there seems to be little time for blogging. I'm thinking of making one of my resolutions to blog AT LEAST once a week with all my projects. Some things I have to admit are gifts and cannot be pictured just yet....so that would be excuse #1. After the first of the year I'll be pretty much working on things for me so that will be good for you cause then you will get pics. I've got a better laptop too but being that it's an Apple I'm still sorta learning about it. I did receive a really beautiful ornie in the HOE Exchange recently. It was "Christmas Eve" by The Sampler Girl. It was stitched over 1 on 28 ct linen with beading. It really is pretty, don't ya think?So I'm off to finish a few more Christmas presents now. I've been taking pics of everything so sooner or later (hopefully sooner) I'll have a big slideshow....so stay tuned...Till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Something about fall puts me in this intense crafting mood. I finally got some things I made and shipped out so I'll be able to post those shortly. In the mean time, check out this awesome Halloween Exchange I received from Ellen in Singapore!!!

The pinchusion is lovely and that particular design is one I had my eye on. I actually had to re-package some of the items as I already started using them. And she even sent me a thimble from Singapore to add to my already growing collection of them...I love it!!! Thanks again, Ellen.

I know this is a short post, but I'll leave you with this beautiful tho strange pic I took out of my bathroom window today. It was the sun rising and hitting the beautiful hills that surround us. The picture does not do it justice, sadly to say. So, till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Monday, September 13, 2010

Ø I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.Ø Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.Ø I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.Ø Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.Ø The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it's still on the list.Ø Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.Ø If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.Ø We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.Ø War does not determine who is right - only who is left.Ø Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.Ø The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.Ø Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.Ø To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.Ø How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?Ø Some people are like Slinkies ... not really good for anything, but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.Ø Dolphins are so smart that within a week of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.Ø I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks.Ø A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it.Ø Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says "In an emergency, notify:" I put "DOCTOR."Ø I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.Ø Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?Ø Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?Ø A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.Ø You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.Ø Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.Ø Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.Ø Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.Ø Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.Ø There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.Ø I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.Ø I always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila.Ø When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.Ø You're never too old to learn something stupid.Ø To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.Ø Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.Ø Some people hear voices. Some see invisible people. Others have no imagination whatsoever.Ø A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.Ø If you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, why do some people have more than one child?Ø Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Just bought this pattern in cross stitch....for $2.99....this may have to be part of my "bucket list" if you know what I mean.

It is absolutely awesome and is like 9 pages long and really looks authentic but WOW, what a project. My rule is tho, cross stitching is actually 2 separate hobbies....the actually act of cross stitching and collecting the patterns for the cross stitching. Now I don't feel so guilty buying something I may never do.

Next is a little finish. I loved this pattern and it really was quick to work up. Now the question is how to finish it. May just tack it onto some foam board with a nice backing and ribbon and decorative pin trim. Sweetie Man wants it for his little cubicle at work....hook, line, sinker....DONE!

So with those little tidbits for you, I'm off to my daily duties...till next time, yinz crazy guys!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Trying to do a little better job of posting plus I was super excited to get this finished. It was a gift for our Youth Pastor at our church....belated birthday present. Did my own pin and tap framing too.

The pattern is from http://www.joyfulexpressions.us/ and is a freebie. There is a Spanish version also for $4.00 that I'm going to attempt in shades of blue. (Sweetie Man is fluent in Spanish) I did this one with Crescent Colors..specifically Ruby Slippers. The pattern on the site shows various DMC reds. I don't usually work on aida but this is 16ct and fit nicely in the 10 X 14 frame.Below is a picture of Pastor Donna getting it. Her FAVORITE color is RED. I think she liked it, don't you?

Next is an BEAUTIFUL cross stitched box I recieved from Aubree in a "For The Birds" Exchange with the HOE group. The picture does not do it justice. I was so excited to recieve this. Those ladies in that group are fabulous stitchers to say the least.

The inside was just as beautiful inside with a lovely set of pins which I use all the time for counting stitches and squares. Thank you so much for this lovely exchange, Aubree.

A couple of swap bot exchanges I received. This is the CUTE Strawberry Dotee I received on Swap-Bot. I've got to get my butt in gear and finish mine to send next week...I'm so last minute.

This was the Denim and Lace Dotte Cutie I received on Swap-Bot. I'm in such a dotee mood lately. Just love this little dolls!Well, that's about it. Playing nurse this weekend as Sweetie Man has a bit of a viral infection, but he's under doctor's care and I think he'll be just fine. I'm confining him to bed for most of the weekend so that means more stitching time for me as I tend to the sick......so till next time, yinz crazy guys!

Sunday, August 08, 2010

I love LOVE summer....there is always something to do and somewhere to go and I think this summer we took advantage of it all including crafting when the days are just way too hot to be outside. I have alot to catch up on, so let's get started....First off is this cross stitch I did for my son's birthday of their dog Reese. You always look at a cross stitch thinking it won't take long, right? Wrong...I did manage to get it done as a little something extra for his birthday. I even framed it myself...of that I was proud.

Feelin' a little dotee fever so I got into a few swaps....this one is the denim and lace dotee. I love denim so she was definitely fun.

This was a "For the Birds Exchange"...I got the pictures backwards..sorry 'bout that. This is actually the inside of my first Altoid tin. I so wanted to keep this for myself. I love the way it turned it. You would never know that is what it was. I added a beaded scissor fob and a needle holder magnet made from a ceramic button.

This is the top of the piece....I just had to have a bird somewhere on it. I even tea-dyed this fabric myself with some Salada tea bags. Looked awesome.

Of course, there were the vacations away. Arkansas was our big one. That was my first time there. Other than the fact that is was sooooo hot, it was a GREAT trip visiting relatives. (gotta find those pics for my next post)Second one, was our annual trip to Michigan for the 4th of July. This was a cool pic I took with my phone of the campfire through my wine glass.

The little cutie in the highchair is Sweetie Man's newest grandson and my step grandson. He grew so much since the last time we saw him. The little blonde cutie was a visitor that was being babysat for a few days. We had so much fun with them.

Sweetie Man with his grandson!

I also got in a scrapbook sorta mood and made a couple of pages. I'm currently working on more but here is what I have so far. First was a visit to a church turned restuarant/bewery.

Second, was just some fun we had a few weekends ago in the park...just Sweetie Man and I.

Also had some fun with our friends at a pool party they had in July. It was a HOT day so this was sooooo perfect. Sweetie Man had fun relaxing with his noodles!

I'm not a fan of deep water, so I made sure I was sufficiently tubed and noodled!!

So, that's about it for now. The Summer isn't over yet....still have more fun to have and more crafts and stitches to do. I'll do my best not to wait so long next time, so don't go too far away. Till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

...the summer is flying and I've been crafting but I haven't posted anything. Between vacations and fun on the weekends with Sweetie Man who has time to blog.....I really need to sit down and give you some updates. Been doing mostly cross stitch but I've also thrown in a little scrapbooking and recently some dotee dolls. So don't give up on me...I'm here, I'm alive and just having a fun summer!Hope yinz guys are too...stay tuned...till next time!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Like everyone else I too have joined the forces keeping me from blogging as much as usual....lazily sitting on the porch, reading and sipping wine on a cool summer night has beat out sitting in front of the computer. I really had nothing to blog about (since cross stitches I'm working on cannot be shown at this point due to "spying eyes") until a friend of mine sent me this from a blog she read. She said she thought of me, and rightly so, as I will be visiting for the second time this year the legendary HOBBY LOBBY of which I can only do so on vacations. So with that said....(and for the record, this brought a tear to my eye....) enjoy this little tribute to my favorite store....(aka, the Disney World of crafters...thank you, Nancy, for sending me this....now I know I'm no alone in the world when it comes to H.L.)

Hobby LobbyPosted: 25 Jun 2010 04:58 AM PDT

Dear Hobby Lobby,I really don’t even know where to start.You are the bedazzled apple of my eye.You are like a giant crock pot full of crafty goodness.You are the Chick-fil-A of department stores.To put it bluntly, if you were a person, you would be Beth Moore.Every time I read Exodus and see verses about the building of the ark, I think of you. I like to add the phrase “from Hobby Lobby” to verses in the same way people add words to the end of fortune cookies at Chinese restaurants. For example, “All the skilled men among the workmen made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn … from Hobby Lobby.”Your coupons are legendary. I won’t call Michael’s a punk or Jo-Ann from the fabric store a hussy, and even shop both those stores often, but ultimately my heart beats true for you and your coupons. Do you rock 10% off or 20% or maybe even 30%? No, you know that’s not enough. You know we need more and you generously share 40% coupons every other week. You always give and never take away.Your selection is so complete too. You have it all. From stamps shaped like wintery Christmas scenes to yarns as soft as Falcor’s fur in the Neverending Story, there is no shortage of awesome in your aisles. If my husband Jon hadn’t overused the Scrooge McDuck analogy I would tell you that I want to swim around in the rolls of fabrics like Scrooge McDuck.And you’re not shy about your faith. You’re closed on Sunday and your stated, shared publically mission is to honor “the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with Biblical principles.”And you do, you do! Imagine how much less glittery Vacation Bible School would be without you. Imagine how few popsicle stick designed Noah’s arks this world would have without you. Imagine how few homes would have cross stitch “As for me and my house” verses in their foyers without you.Sometimes I dream that you and etsy.com become the official sponsors of Stuff Christians Like. And Jon says to me, “Hobby Lobby paid us in fabric and knitting needles this month. The garage is full, do you want it?”The answer is yes Hobby Lobby, yes I do.Forever crafting. Forever yours.Jenny Acuff

Monday, May 24, 2010

Every year my church has a car show combined with an outdoor service. Five years in a row everyone's prayed for nice weather and five years it's been beautiful. We have a blast and yesterday's car show was no exception. It's all free and we manage to feed anywhere from 500 to 1000 people all free with food donated and made by the church members. It's truly a miracle just like the loaves and fishes.Sweetie Man and I have a tent of our own called Ed's Hot Zone. He makes HOT HOT HOT guacamole and salsa and I make hot jalepeno brownies. (yep, I said Hot as in SPICY....email me if you want the recipe) Anyway it's a blast and here are some pics to prove it.First is the man himself...HOT ZONE ED!!! (what a cutie-pie!!)

Mr. and Mrs. Hot Zone Ed!!!

I made this sign which sits in front of our tent. Everyone says they hope we show up as they love the stuff we make. This picture is really great. It's "LUCY" the scooter. The story behind this is that it was lime green and sitting in out back yard for sometime...make that years. Its was bought with good intentions....let's just leave it at that. We know how much our Pastor loves to use props for his sermons so we donated it to the church as it was useless to us after all these years. He in turn asked if anyone would like to fix it up. My good friend, Keri, and her husband, Frank, jumped at the chance and low and behold....Keri drove "LUCY" to the car show. She's a sleek black with butterflies on her...and better yet....she won a prize and was even part of the car show sermon our Pastor gave. Thanks, Frank and Keri,....she's a beauty!!This is our church band getting ready for the service. They call themselves "misfits from The River"....but they really are AWESOME and a blast to listen too. They play very modern Christian music from today's top artists and sometimes even write their own. I was about to take a pic of the cars but my zany lady friends insisted that they be included...gotta love 'em crazy church ladies. The purple shirts by the way say, "I Don't Go To Church" on the front....and the back says "....I AM the Church". We usually wear these on our Church Without Walls Weekends when we go out into the community and work. Today I'm a bit tired from helping Sweetie Man with all the preparations...as I'm sure all the church members who helped prepare for this awesome day in the life of our church. I'm so proud to call them my church family.....the most loving, caring, God fearing people I could every know....Thanks for a great day everyone.....till next time, yinz crazy guys!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Spent the past weekend stitching with a group of wonderful ladies at the Turtle Bay Lodge in Tionesta PA. Thought I would share with you some pics of this beautiful get-a-way....I'm a porch-a-holic....this one was awesome!!!

Some views of the rooms we stayed in...one with a jacuzzi.

The living room and kitchen were crazy huge!!!

The outside was gorgeous....and there were turtles across the river....tons of them sunning themselves.

And I can't forget the great ladies I spent the weekend with. Sorry about the blurry pics...we were all laughing so hard and got really giddy when it got late, the camera probably didn't stay as still as it should have. (that's me on the left end...laughing, of course)

Needless to say it was a great weekend and a well needed rest. The food was great as we all brought stuff in and the company was tremendous. It is so great to be around like-minded people. Friends who enjoy your passion as you do....sometimes the silence was so beautiful when all you would hear were the needles going in and out of the fabric...that sound was as sweet as birds singing. Other times we would laugh so hard that the tears would start flowing.

That was my weekend and that's about it for now....my stitching is calling.....so till next time, yinz guys....

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH

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About Me

I am a die-hard crafter and and lover of books. I am the mother of a wonderful young man and most importantly I am madly in love with my husband, Ed, who is the most wonderful incredible person I have every met in my life. I am blessed to be in his life and so very very lucky to be his wife!